Celebrating 150 Years in the Valley of Gold

The historical and picturesque
township of Cardrona in the breathtaking Cardrona Valley
turns 150 years Gold this year. To celebrate, the iconic
Cardrona Hotel and the greater community are opening their
doors, hearts and rabbit cookbook’s for a birthday bash
guaranteed to delight all ages.

Saturday 8th December
- 150 Years of Gold celebration

From the excitement of
highly trained heading dogs competing in the Dog Trials to
trying your hand at gold panning, the 150 Years of Gold
celebrations are local-jam-packed with fun and fascinating
events for everyone.

Join a period school class, take a
stagecoach ride, compete in mini-Highland games, pan for
gold and see a blacksmith shoeing horses. Revel in the
exhilaration of musterers and miners’ horse races and
other equestrian events. Reel the night away dressed in the
opulent finery of the late 1800’s, strive to win
best-dressed couple and dance the Gay Gordon till the cows
come home!

Situated in and around the idyllic community
of Cardrona Valley the Cardrona 150 Years of Gold
celebrations will open the door to the past to the public.
Brimming with history, both beautiful and bizarre, the
Village Square has displays and entertainment for all.
Don’t miss local folk favourite, Martin Curtis’s “Off
to the Dry Cardrona” Concert at the historic Cardrona
Hall!

Sunday 9th DecemberThe Cardrona
Vintage Fair at the Cardrona Hotel

Set among the
iconic historical Cardrona Hotel gardens, the annually
beloved Cardrona Vintage Fair is a magnificent melange of
vintage curios booths, delectable fare and the carefree
merriment only an authentic country vintage fair can
provide. For $5.00 children are invited and encouraged to
create their own stall at the “Kid’s Market” where
they may buy, sell or exchange their wares, toys, games,
books, even their expertise – budding fortune tellers
anyone? Adults, you will be amazed at the entrepreneurial
spirit of our youth!

Secure your special spot on the
luscious lawns and relax for the afternoon. Enjoy live
entertainment with Jamie Robertson & Band, partake of the
Valley’s infamous rabbit stew with broom flower and
watercress scones, feast on the sumptuous delicacy of spit
roasted Cardrona Merino Lamb or Simon the Butcher’s
award-winning sausages – or both! Those with a sweet tooth
cannot resist the homemade waffles served with locally grown
plums and whipped cream. Nor the medley of locally grown and
produced jams, jellies, fruits, honeys and preserves as well
as Café Bonjour’s authentic French Croissants and “pain
au chocolat” – oh-la-la!

While the children play on
the bouncy castle, grown ups while away the afternoon in the
blissful luxury of a vintage afternoon in the Valley.

The
proceeds of this year’s Cardrona Vintage Fair will be
instrumental in the funding of the Cardrona-Wanaka walk and
cycle track, an initiative of great value to the
community.

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